Guided-Wave Tomography Transducer Placement for Bent Pipe Wall Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current guided-wave tomography methods for pipe wall thickness measurement face challenges in achieving accurate and high-resolution measurements, particularly in bent pipes due to focusing and defocusing effects, and are affected by liquid loading and coatings which attenuate higher-order helical modes, leading to poor data quality in the extrados region.
Innovation Solution
The placement of additional ultrasound transducers along the extrados of pipe bends and within straight pipe sections, along with an adaptive data analysis scheme, to enhance signal propagation paths and angles, reducing signal loss and improving measurement accuracy and resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transducers are placed in two circumferential rings for guided-wave tomography, then the configuration is practical for field applications and forms beneficial geometry for numerical processing, but very few signal propagation paths intersect the extrados of bent pipes, leading to poor wall thickness accuracy and resolution in the extrados region
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer array is segmented into multiple functional groups: transducers in circumferential rings for general tomographic imaging, and additional transducers specifically positioned on the extrados of bent pipes for targeted measurement enhancement. This segmentation allows each group to fulfill specific measurement needs while collectively improving overall accuracy across all pipe regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning additional transducers specifically on the extrados region of bent pipes where measurement accuracy is poorest. This localized enhancement ensures that signal propagation paths densely cover the extrados area, improving wall thickness measurement precision in this critical region without requiring complete redesign of the entire transducer system.
2Measurement precision
If higher-order helical modes are used for measurement, then axial resolution of tomographic wall thickness maps is improved, but signal attenuation increases due to liquid loading and coatings on the pipe wall surface
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects and combines multiple ultrasonic wave modes (both higher-order helical modes and lower-order modes) based on the specific measurement requirements and signal quality. This dynamic approach allows the system to utilize higher-order modes for improved axial resolution when signal conditions permit, while switching to or combining with lower-order modes when attenuation becomes problematic, thereby optimizing the balance between resolution and signal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement approach uses a composite strategy of combining multiple wave modes (higher-order helical modes and lower-order modes) to achieve measurement objectives. By synthesizing information from different mode types, the system compensates for the limitations of individual modes, obtaining both high axial resolution from higher-order modes and sufficient signal strength from lower-order modes.
3Measurement precision
If additional transducers are placed along the extrados of pipe bends and within straight pipe sections, then measurement accuracy and resolution are improved, but the device complexity and number of transducers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The additional transducers placed on the extrados and in straight sections serve multiple functions: they provide measurement coverage for bent pipe regions with poor path intersection, enhance signal propagation path density in straight sections, and contribute to overall tomographic image quality. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by delivering comprehensive measurement improvements across diverse pipe geometries.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach increases measurement accuracy and resolution for wall thickness monitoring in both straight and bent pipes by creating a denser mesh of signal propagation paths and reducing signal attenuation, effectively addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
each transducer to transmit an ultrasonic guided wave signal, letting the signal propagate in the pipe wall
Implementation Method 2
A number of ultrasound transducers 205 are placed on the external surface 201 of, e.g., a section of pipe 200
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for guided-wave tomographic measurement or monitoring of wall thicknesses of the walls of pipes and similar structures are disclosed. The method is characterized in that use is made of transducers (205) preferably positioned in at least two groups of a plurality of transducers (305′-305″) arranged in a spaced apart pattern on the external surface of the structures, the transducers individually transmit ultrasound signal into the pipe wall 204, in that each ultrasound signal propagates within the pipe wall 204 from the transmitting transducer and is received at one or several receiving transducers, and the received ultrasound signal is converted to an electrical signal by the receiving transducers and recorded by the transceiver (20). Measurements are performed by using a further plurality of transducers (406, 506) that are placed apart from the two groups of a plurality of transducers (305′-305″). There is also disclosed a method for guided-wave tomographic measurement or monitoring of wall thicknesses in the walls of pipes and similar structures producing a set of measurement data by using the apparatus.